The Libra Full Moon (Monday, April 10th, 11:08pm PST) not only highlights relationships, it also triggers the ongoing T-square between Jupiter in Libra, Pluto in Capricorn, and Uranus in Aries. The T-Square is connected to some long-term transits and events that may take decades to unfold, so to understand this week’s themes, we need to zoom out a little.

Pluto’s slow transit through Capricorn from 2008-2023 signals the complete transformation of our social institutions including government and economic structures, and brings to the surface issues around patriarchy, control, dominance, and power. Trump’s presidency, and the rise of far-right politics in Europe are examples of Pluto (power) in Capricorn (patriarchy, control).

Pluto is associated not just with power, but also with transformation. Pluto is lord of the underworld, and stirs up the depths to reveal what had been hidden, and it is this awareness that fuels transformation. Right wing sentiments have been lurking beneath the surface, they are simply more visible now. This visibility is necessary in order for transformation to occur. (We are likely to experience the climax of the Pluto in Capricorn transit between the end of 2019 to the end of 2020, during which there is a Pluto-Saturn conjunction, as well as a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction, and some other powerful aspects.)

From 2010-2016, Uranus was in a square aspect with Pluto. Together, these planets symbolize revolution and resistance to autocratic authority: the people speaking up to and acting against abuses of power. The Occupy movement, The Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter, Idle No More, and Standing Rock are some instances of this. The Pluto-Uranus square is the first quarter in a cycle that began with a conjunction between Uranus and Pluto in the mid-60s. So the themes of social justice that have been prominent in the past 7 or so years are a continuation of the civil rights movement. The opposition, the halfway point in this cycle (analogous to a full moon), will be in the mid-2040s, which is when we can expect to experience another wave of these themes, and the fruition of our efforts now.

While the Pluto-Uranus square is now waning, throughout 2017, Jupiter is in opposition with Uranus, and square to Pluto, thereby drawing the Pluto-Uranus square back together, and bringing in another wave of the revolutionary themes we’ve seen highlighted since about 2010. Jupiter in Libra also brings in more themes around social justice, community, and legal action. So it’s little surprise we’re seeing so much legal action brought to bear on social issues. We can expect this to continue throughout the year.

Uranus is associated with shocks, sudden action, surprises, and Aries is the god of war. Uranus is also associated with freedom, which can mean acting without regard for rules or law. This symbolism is activated this week, as the Sun comes to conjunct Uranus, and the moon opposes it. Trump’s missile attack on Syria on Thursday (without congressional or UN approval) is perfectly in line with this symbolism.

There is no guarantee that this period of revolution and transformation will lead to peace and justice. It’s just as likely for revolution to lead to fascism. The planets have no morality. Our personal and collective actions determine the fate of the world. As well as more obvious forms of political action and activism, the personal is political; there is no line between actions that affect politics and world events and those that don’t. Our every action matters; as each one of us makes some small move, together we create waves and change the culture and change the world.

These planets also bring shock, revolution, transformation, justice, and freedom to some area of our personal lives: You can look to what house of your natal chart Uranus fall in for the area of your life that is the focus of most of this change (I cover the houses for each sign in my youtube videos). There may also be a sense of “more” or “too much” in this area of our lives. To master this energy, allow for change and spontaneity, and seek more freedom in your life, while balancing your own needs with the needs of those with whom you’re in relationship.

With Jupiter and the Moon in relationship-oriented Libra and the Sun and Uranus in self-focused Aries, all square to Pluto, we are likely to be confronted with any underlying issues in relationships (friendships, work relationships, business partnerships, romantic relationships--all relationships). Any differences in perspective, or latent tensions are likely to surface. We’re also likely to be dealing with issues of what is just or fair in relationships, as well as the balance between give and take, and me vs. you. While there may be confrontations and difficult conversations, at the same time, relationships that are in balance are likely to receive a sense of culmination, fruition, joy, and generosity.

At the same time, we have Venus square Saturn which tests relationships. It can bring up themes around commitment and boundaries, and elicit feelings of isolation or loneliness. It can also help us to think long-term about relationships. The square is exact on April 8th, while Venus is retrograde, then again on April 21st once Venus is direct. This gives us a second chance to address any of these themes. Venus turns direct on April 15th. Until then, it’s a good time to consider what we want and value. After that date, it’s time to start taking action on what we’ve learned about ourselves and our desires and needs.

Sunday, April 9th, Mercury stations retrograde, but the retrograde effects begin before the official station. The retrograde goes until May 3rd, but may be felt up until May 20th. This is a good time to review project that are already underway: edit, revise, reimagine, etc. It’s also a good time to backup files, take your computer, vehicle, or any other mechanical device in to get checked or fixed. It’s not the best time to push forward or begin new projects or to initiate things. That said, life goes on: if you need to start something new, sign a contract, make a major purchase, travel, or make travel plans, just double check the details. Don’t be fearful, just slow down long enough to read the fine print.

So. There’s lots going on this week, both in our relationships, and on the world stage. There are always positive ways to use the energy, no matter how intense. There is a real potential this week to work through relationship issues that had been brewing beneath the surface, and to thereby strengthen relationships. Balanced relationships are likely to receive a boost of positive energy. There’s also opportunity for us, in our personal lives, as well as in society, to work toward greater freedom and justice--and sometimes, it’s violence or confrontation that spurs this positive change.

I’m experimenting with the format of the youtube videos I make: this month, I’ll be publishing a video every Monday about the astrology of that week. At the end of the videos I’ll cover how the weekly astrology affects each sign. To be notified when I publish new videos, subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Finally, check out my Astroyoga for Aries yoga video to tune into this month’s astrology.